Boiler-furnace grate.



PATBNTED APR. 23, 1907.

P. W. RIDLON. BOILER FURNACE GRATE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. z5. 1905.

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ff l] PATENTED APR. 23, 1907.

F. W. RIDLUN. BOILER PURNACE GRATE.

APPLIoATIoH FILED AUG. z5. 1905.

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yis a perspective view .of portions of a rockinr UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED W. RIDLON, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOILEFi-FURNACE GRATE.

Application filed August 25,

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED W. RIDLON, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Springfield, in the county of l Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boiler-Furnace Grates, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to grates for furnaces or steam boiler fire-boxes, and more especially to that class known as rocking bar grates, in which a series of journaled grate barsfeach provided with separated and parallel grates or teeth is arranged and supported in suitable bearing frames.

An object of this invention is to provide new and simplified means whereby the gratebars may be quickly removed, on becoming` warped or otherwise defective, and as quickly replacedby new ones.

Other objects equally important are the interchangeability of all parts comprised in the grates, such as grate-bars and grate bar supporting frames, and grate bar rocking means, and the adaptability for assembling all of said parts by interlocking portions without the use of the fastening bolts and screws i commonly required in installing rocking bar grates.

The labor and difficulties of installing rocking bar grates comprising screw or bolt fastenings, and the increased difficulties attending the dismounting of the same, owing to the destructive action .of heat on screw threaded fastenings, are well known, and the advantages to be derived from the substitution-of interlocking jointed connections or screw threaded fastenings will be maniest.

To the above ends my invention consists in the novel features of construction fully set forthherein in connection with the drawings, and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,-Figure 1 is a plan view of l a rocking bar grate embodying my invention, i and represents a complete assemblage of the j various component fparts thereof, with the exception o two o the journaled bearing; caps, which are understood as removed for clearer illustration of the underlying parts. i

2 is a side elevation of an assembled ate, with some parts shown in rocking bar Fig. 3

section, as ta en on aline 2--2, Fig. 1.

bar grate comprised in my invention, sai

Specification of Letters Patent.

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Patented April 23, 1907.

1905. semina. 275,792.

portions being shown in separated relations to each other. Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4 4, Fig. 1, of a grate-bar journal-bearing, and Fig. 5 is a side elevation ofthe same bearing. Figs. 6 and 7 are plan views in representation of some of the variations in arrangement of the grate-teeth. Figs. 8 and 9 are cross sectional views of grate teeth, as taken on a line :r-m, Fig. 7, showing variations of forms of the teeth.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the views.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, the rocking bar grates are shown as mounted in two sec-tions in a rectangular shaped frame consisting of the two end bars A, A, which are provided at each end with the legs A and the locking ribs a, a, and of two side bars B, B, having downwardly extending forked portions b, b, at their ends which interlock with and be- 4 tween the pairs of ribs a, a, ofthe end frames,

thus constituting a quickly assembled and rigid frame support.

-A central bar B having forked end portions b b interlocks with intermediately provided locking ribs a. a in the end frames A A.

The side bars B, B, have provided thereon, at points equi-distant from each other, the circular holes C which form the bearings for the outer end journals or gudgeons c of the which are supported in upwardly open halfround bearings f formed within the upper edge portion on the central bar B. The two aligned grate barsD of a pair are of such a length that when their ends c are seated in the bearing holes C of the opposite side bars B, B, their inner ends e are both adjacently sup orted in one bearingf, as clearly shown ig. 1. Referrinfy to said Fig. l and also to Figs. 3, 4, and 5, represents the bearing caps or saddles which cover the grate bar inner end journals of a pair, and rotect the same from the pressure of the as es or coal supported on t e grate. These caps F are maintained in place over the bearings f by the downwardly projecting se arated legs f' thereof. which, as shown in igs. 4 and 5, closely engage either side of the central bar B', but having no fastening connection with said bar B', they may be quickly placed in their positions of engagement or removed therefrom.

The grate bars D, as best shown in F ig. 3, have provided on either side thereof the equally spaced vertical grooves dand have also provided on either side thereof the longitudinally extending grooves h; these grooves 7L intersect the vertical grooves d.

The removable and interchangeable "teeth G asthey will be called (shown in perspective in Fig.3) are each provided with downwardly extending fork-like projections it; and the inwardly facingswalls of the openingj, formed between the said projections it and which opening extends nearly to the upper edge of each tooth, are formed adjacent the upper portion of the openin with half round grooves lc. The width o the teeth openings is about equal to the cross sectional thickness of the grate bars D at the vertical grooves d, thereby ensuring a close supporting engagement of the teeth G, with the grate-bars D.

An eflicientlocking device for securing the teeth in their lroper positions to the grate bars D is provided by the rod K, shown in Fig; 3, and in its operative position in the sectional portion of Fig. 2, it being understood that whenthe fork like lteeth are engaged' about the grate bars, with the grooves le matching with the grooves h, the rod is slid into such matching grooves and constitutes a key for interlocking the teeth and bar.

Eachgrate bar D of both sections of a grate, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is pro- 7ided with downwardly extending rocking arms M (excepting the end grate bars D which are .held stationary). The lower end portions of these arms M have formed thereon the studs m which are engaged by the hor'- izontal double connecting bars N. The rocking-arm studs m at the ends of the double connecting bars N are passed through holes n, formed in said connecting bars, and pinu'ed or otherwise secured thereto, the rocking arm studs of the intermediate grate bars being engaged with the double connecting bars N by entering the notches n vformed in the said bars N.

The grate bars D of each section of a grate, mounted and connected to ether as above described, are provided witl means for simultaneously rocking them in the usual manner, consisting in the .hinged depending link O, attached to one of the end bars A of the grate frame, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the connecting rod or baro extending from the said link O tof ab oint of connection preferably about centra ly of the double grate-connecting bars N.

A square socket p formed in the link O is ada ted to receive the squared end of a sha er rod P, shown in erspective in Fig. 3. The operation ofthe rocking of the grate bars D by means of this shaker rod is accom lished by verticallyV raising and depressing t e free end of said rod, and the degree of motion 1mparte'd to the grate-bars is limited by the' hinged and depending plate or block Q having the stop lugs q g formed thereon which vidual teeth4 G of a sectional rocking bar grate, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, may be varied to suit different draft requirements therethrough, or for differing sizes of coal or other fuel.

In Fig. 6 the teeth G are shown all placed on the grate bars in the same-way instead of being staggered or alternately oppositely arranged, as shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 7 the teeth G are arranged as in Fig. 6, but alternate teeth on each grate bar D are shown as removed; in this manner a greater draft opening upwardly through the grate is provided.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate arrangementsfor still further variations in the degree of air space between individual teeth as provided by the before described teeth G, and by teeth G as shown in Fig. 9. The teeth G are to be provided where the minimum amount of air ordraft space is desired, the diminished air space being assured by forming such teeth G with a broader or thickened top or surface portion.

By lifting a cap or saddle F from its position of engagement with the middle grate frame bar B and with the adjoining end portions of two aligned grate bars D, D, each of these bars may be removed (and with it all its teeth) by lifting the inner end of the bar a distance alittle more than equal to its diameter, and endwise drawing the bar to disengage its outer journal c from its side frame socket() therefor.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In combination, a grate frame, a series lof toothed grate bars journaled in said frame and having depending arms, M, a bar N engaging the several arms, a rod connecting the said bar N, a link hung to a fixed support therefor, as the grate-frame, a block pivoted to and de ending from the grate frame alongside said ink, having separated lugs extending across the plane of swinging movement of said link, and adapted to swing at right angles to the plane of movement of the link, land means for temporarily confining said block in a position entirely free from engagement with said link.

2. In combination, a grate frame, a series of toothed grate bars j ournaled in said frame and having the depending arms M, the bar N in engagement wit the several arms, the rod IOO IIC

ISO

`like projections, a fork member of each havo connected to said bar N, the link 0 pivotl ally hung to the grate-frame, and with which said rod is also comlected, the block Q, pivotally hung to the grate frame and depending normally in a position closely alongside said link, said bloek adapted to swing angularly to the plane-of movementof the link and having-the-separated stops g, theeye shaped handle 1, and the catch ook R on the grate frame for engaging the said handle r.

3. The combination with a grate frame comprising opposite side bars having horizontally aligned journal sockets, and anintermediate frame bar having upwardl opening journal sockets fof two series o grattbars having end journals, the oppositely arranged, outer, journals of both series being engaged in the side bai' sockets and the adjacent inner ends of the grate-bars being Q supported in the upwardl open sockets f I of the intermediate frameiar, and the caps or saddles' F having the depending fork g members mounted on and sidewise engaging the intermediate frame bar, and covering the adjoined journal ends of the grate-bars.

4. The combination with a `frame, of a pluralityV of Vgrate bars, each mounted for rocking movements in said frame, and having means for rocking them, and each grate bar provided with removable teeth, the bar constructed with vertical parallel side grooves, and an intersecting longitudinal groove h, and the teeth comprising heads or top portions and downwardly extending fork 111g a groove or niche k to matchwith the grate bar groove, and the locking rod K, engaging in the longitudinal grate-bar groove, and in the grooves k of the depending forks of the teeth which are removably engaged abo-veand about the grate bar. Y

5. The combination with a frame, of a plurality of grate bars, each mounted for rocking movements in said frame, and having means for rocking them, and each grate bar provided with removable teeth, the bar constructed with vertical parallel side grooves, and an intersecting longitudinal groove h, and the teeth comprising heads or to rtions and downwardly extending for 'ke projections, a fork member of each having a groove or niche k to match with the grate bar groove, and the locking rod K, engaging in the longitudinal grate-bar groove, and in the grooves k of the depending forks of the teeth which are removably engaged above 9 and about the grate bar, and each grate bar having a depending arm M and end journals.

6. The combination with a frame, of a plurality of grate bars, each mounted for rocking movements in said frame, and having means for rocking them, and each grate bar provided with removable teeth, the bar constructed with vertical parallel" side grooves, and an interswting longitudinal groove Il, and the teeth comprising heads or top rtions transversely extending, and projectmg farther at one side of the bar than at the other, and downwardly extending fork like projections, a fork member of each -having a groove or niche l" to match with the grate bar groove, and the locking rod K, eugagingin the longitudinal grate bar groove, and in the grooves k of the depending forks of the teeth which are removably engaged above and about the grate bar.'

7. In a lire box rocking grate, a frame comprising opposite end bars having vertical ribs at their ends, and pairs of separated vertical ribs at their intermediate portions, opposite side bars B and an intermediate. bar B' all having downwardly opening at their end rtions, which so formed portions are detac xably engaged with the rib provided portions of the end frame bars, said side bars having a series of journal holes C, and said intermediate bar having within its upper edge a series of upwardly open journa sockets f, two series of grate bars having end journals, engaged in said journal holes and sockets with their inner journalV ends adjoined, constructed with the longitudinal grooves h, and the vertical grooves l d and having each a depending arm M, a series of grate teeth for the respective liars, ea'ch comprising downwardly extending fork' like projections, a fork member of each having a transverse groove k to match with said grate bar groove h, the locking rods K, the bars N el the several arms M of a grate bar series, a .colmecting rod secured to each barV N, and a link pivotally connected to each connecting rod and pivotally hung to the grate frame, and adapted to receive engagehmlit therewith of means for oscillating such Signed by me at Springfield, Mass., in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRED W'. RIDLON. Witnessesz' Wal. S. BELLows, G. R. DmscoLL.

lOO 

